Throne speech makes grand promises for transit, transportation

When the New Democrats pledged during the recent election campaign to eliminate tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges, Premier Christy Clark called the idea expensive and “irresponsible”.

But in Thursday’s throne speech, Clark pivoted and promised to get rid of tolls on the Port Mann “as quickly as possible” and work with TransLink to end tolling on the Golden Ears. During their campaign, the Liberals had promised to cap tolls at $500 per year per driver.

“Since investments such as the Trans-Canada Highway upgrades, the Sea to Sky Highway, the William R. Bennett Bridge, and the Cariboo Connector are not tolled, all communities should be treated equitably,” the speech said.

The speech contained a number of other transit-related promises.

The Liberals promised mayors would have the “tools and accountability” they have asked for to fund transit and pledged “immediate action” to expand public transit in Metro Vancouver, including construction of a Broadway subway line and Surrey light rail. The Liberals reiterated their commitment to match $2.2 billion in federal funding for capital costs for the second phase of a 10-year transit and transportation plan for the region.

“Your government will boost capital investment in partnership with other levels of government and the private sector to significantly expand a transit network that will transform the Lower Mainland,” the speech said.

The Liberals said during the election that the legislative requirement that any new transit revenue sources in Metro Vancouver must go through a referendum would remain in place. However, the throne speech formalized a statement made last week by new Minister Responsible for TransLink Sam Sullivan that the Liberals would repeal the referendum requirement.

A major concern for regional mayors has been the replacement of the 80-year-old Pattullo Bridge. The Liberals have promised to accelerate the timetable for replacing the bridge, which must be finished by 2022.

The government also said it would conduct immediate feasibility studies for rapid transit, light rail and “other means of expanded transit” to link communities east of the Evergreen Line such as Maple Ridge and Mission, South Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack, as well as west to the University of B.C., across to the North Shore, and up to Squamish.

In a statement, the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation acknowledged the commitments the government has made — including removing the referendum requirement to avoid “pointless and costly delays” — but said immediate action needs to be taken.

Outside of the Lower Mainland, the government said it would work to build light rail on southern Vancouver Island, add a passenger ferry between Vancouver and Nanaimo, and mentioned that communities such as Nanaimo, Kelowna, Kamloops and Prince George need “transit support,” too.

The speech also mentioned working with Washington State “to unleash the economic potential” of high-speed rail between Vancouver and Seattle.

Bringing in ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft by Christmas was something the Liberals promised back in March, but the throne speech promised to slow down that process and convene an all-party committee for extensive consultation with the public and stakeholders, particularly on the topics of boundaries and insurance.